US Air Force General: Restarting F-22 production makes zero sense for the F-35 jet

RAF FAIRFORD, England (Reuters) - Restarting production of the Lockheed Martin Corp F-22 Raptor fighter jet would be time-consuming and costly and it is more important to ensure a continued high rate of production of Lockheed's F-35 fighter jet, a US general said on Thursday.

US Air Force General Hawk Carlisle told reporters at a military air show in Britain that a decision about restarting F-22 production was ultimately up to the US Congress, which has asked the Air Force to look into the issue.

But he said that restarting production of the fighter jet would drain resources from other big projects, including the F-35 program, where rising production rates are finally helping to drive down costs after years of delays.

General Carlisle also said he hoped to certify an "initial operational capability" of F-35 jets at the early end of an August to December timeframe set by the Air Force several years ago.

He said delays in completion of the latest software for the F-35's computerized logistic system were "not a limiting factor" in his decision, since the current software worked during a recent test deployment from one Air Force base to another. The new software package is now expected to be completed in October or November, instead of August as expected.